President Barack Obama praised the resiliency of U.S. citizens and honored Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski and his team during NASCAR’s visit to the White House Wednesday afternoon.

The reception for Keselowski, the 2012 champion, was a moment of levity at a time when the country was still reeling from the Boston Marathon bombings that occurred just 24 hours earlier.

“One of the things that I firmly believe in is that America is strong and we are resilient and we don’t let such cowardly acts get in the way of our lives,” Obama said in his opening remarks, which were broadcast on The White House video feed.

The president then went on to talk about Keselowski, even mentioning Keselowski’s post-championship interview when the driver appeared tipsy from guzzling beer.

“I don’t think a single of one of Brad’s fans has forgotten the postrace interview he gave on SportsCenter after taking the Cup at Homestead last year,” Obama said. “It was memorable for a few reasons — but mostly it was a celebration with the fans that helped to make his victory possible.”

In addition to praising the Penske Racing team and crew chief Paul Wolfe, Obama also thanked Keselowski for his Checkered Flag Foundation, which provides VIP race-day and racing experiences to wounded warriors.

“For Brad, our veterans are an important part of his team,” Obama said. “I’m going to quote him: ‘I couldn’t do what I do on the racetrack without these men and women making the sacrifices that they do for me.’

“So Brad, I want to thank you for visiting with some of our wounded warriors later this afternoon and I want to thank you as well as NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France … for your long tradition of honoring our troops and our veterans.”

There was some question about whether the event would go on as scheduled in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings. In his remarks, Obama thanked the first responders in Boston.

“Obviously our minds right now are very much with our fellow Americans and fans and competitors from all over the world who woke up yesterday and went to run and cheer on at another terrific sporting event, the Boston Marathon,” Obama said.

“I know the entire NASCAR family shares with me just an incredible sense of loss. We mourn the victims. We pray for their loved ones and rest assured, as I said today and will continue to say until it gets done, we’re going to uncover whoever it is that was responsible for yesterday’s cowardly act, we’re going to find out why they did it and they will be brought to justice.”